Supplemental tuning device for violins



Nov. 16 1926.

G. A. STAPLES SUPPLEMENTAL T'UN ING DEVICE FOR VIOLINS Filed Feb 15, 1 926 3 Geo/"ye J], Sfap/a 5 Lil Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES GEORGE A. STAPLES, OF NASHUA, NEW] HAMPSHIRE.

SUPPLEMENTAL TUNING DEVICE FOR VIOLINS.

Application filed February 13, 1926.

This invention relates to supplemental tuning devices for violins and more particularly to a sup .vlemental tuning device for the E string thereof. As is well known to those familiar with the art, the violin E string is extremely difiicult to adjust during playing, the peg controlling tuning of this string being located in such a position upon the scroll that it is not only diflicult lut practically impossible to obtain an accurate adjustment thereof during playing. Since this string is the one which is in most frequent need of adjustment, being the lightest and the one most frequently used, it is de sirous that some supplemental means be provided for tuning the string so that this ad justment may be effected during playing. This invention accordingly contemplates the provision of a device wh ch is readily accessible by the left or supporting hand of the player for adjustmentof the string during playing.

A still further object of the invention is to A rovide a device of this character which is supported from the tuning pegs of the scroll without being actually secured thereto or without being actually secured to the s roll proper and which is so located within the scroll that it does not detract from the artfutic appearance of the scroll in any great measure.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration as shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure l is a perspective view showing a supplementary tuning device constructed in accordance with my invention applied to a violin; V

Figure 2 is a sectional view \hrough a portion of the scroll showing the device in position thereon;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure l is a plan view of the device in applied position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the scroll of a violin including the usual peg box 11 through the side walls 12 of which are directed tuning pegs 13 upon which are wound strings 1%. These strings at one end of the box pass over a nut 15 which determines their effective length.

As is Well known to those familiar with Serial No. 88,079.

the art, the pegs 13 have bodies 16 rotatably engaged in the walls 12 of the peg box, these bodies being round in cross section and tapered from end to end and the strings 14 are secured to their respective pegs. In accordance with my invention, I provide a plate 17 having at one end in its under surface a notch 18 of a size to receive a peg, the string of which is to be tensioned. This notch engages over the peg and is disposed at the outer end of the low-er surface of the plate while the inner end of the lower surface of the plate rests upon and is supported by a second peg body 16 immediately adjacent onejwall 12 of the scroll. T he outer face of the plate abuts the inner face of the side wall 12 with which it coacts and the plate at its upper end has an inbent flange 19. with an opening 20 through which is directed a threaded element 21 having threaded engagement at the upper surface of the flange with a nut 22 while the lower end of the threaded element is provided with a head 23 having an opening 24 therein.

In the use of the device, the string with which the device is to be associated is first threaded through the opening 24: of the head 28 and the device is then placed in position upon the peg bodies 16 with a notch 18 engaged with the peg body 16 of the peg to which the string is to be secured. The string is then tensioned by the peg in the usual manner until the same is properly tuned, care being taken that the position of the openin 23 is such that it permits the string to lie in a straight line between the nut 15 and the peg 16, as illustrated in solid lines in Figure 2. If the strings stretch during the playing of the instrument, the left or supporting hand of the player may be employed to rotate the .nut 22 to draw the threaded element upwardly through the opening 20 and thus tension the string 14: to retune the same.

It will be obvious that a device of this character may be very readily applied to the violin and will interfere in no way with the application of a string to the violin as it is merely necessary to thread the string through the opening 23. The tension of the string will maintain the devige in its applied position.

Since the structure of the device, as hereinbefore set forth, is obviously capable of a certain range of change and modification This flange 19 is formed without materially departing from the spirit of the ii'ivention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In a supplemental tuning device for violins and in combination with a violin having the usual scroll including a peg box and pegs for controlling the tension of the strings, asupporting plate mounted upon two of said pegs intermediate the walls of the peg box and having engagement with one thereof preventing its displacement longitudinally of the violin, said support including a portion overlying a string of the violin intermediate the nut and peg to whlch the is secured and a member adjustable through'said portion and having means to engage the string.

2. In supplemental tuning device for violins and in combination with a violin having the usual scroll including a peg box and pegs for controlling the tension of the strings, a supporting plate mounted upon two of pegs intermediate the walls or the peg box and having engagement with one thereof preventing its displacement longitudinally of the Violin, said support including a portion overlying a string of the violin intermediate the nut and peg to which the string is secured and a member adjustable through said portion and having means to engage the string, said member having its outer face flatly engaged with the inner face of the adjacent wall of the peg box.

3. In a 'sunplementary' tuning device for violins and in combination with a violin having the usual scroll including a peg box, pegs for controlling the tension of the strings.

an i'nut over which the strings pass, a thin flat supporting plate engaging two of said pegs intermediate one wall oi the peg box and the string which is to be tuned and having engagement with one of said pegs preventing displacement longitudinally of the violin while permitting rotation of? the peg, the outer face of said plate flatly abutting the adjacent wall of the peg box the plate at its upper end having an angular flange provided with an opening a threaded member adjustable through said opening a nut se'ated upon the flange for adjusting the threaded member and an opening in the threaded member for the reception of the string to be tuned between the peg to which it is secured and said nut.

4.111 a supplementary tuning device for violins and in combination with a violin having the usual scroll including a peg box, pegs for controlling the tension of the strings and the nut over which the strings pass,'a thin flat supporting plate engaging two of said pegs interniediate one wall of the peg box and the string which is to be tuned with its lower edge, said lower edge having a notch receiving one of said pegs, the outer face of said plate flatly abutting the adjacent wall of the peg box, the plate at its upper end having an angular flange provided with an opening, a threaded member adjustable through said opening, a nut seated upon the flange for adjusting the threaded member and an opening in the threaded member for the reception of the string to be'tuned between the peg to which it is secured and said nut.

5. In a supplementary tuning device for and in combination with a violin having the usual scroll including a peg box, pegs for controlling the tension of the strings and nut over which the strings pass, a supporting'element which rests on the E and G string pegs in a manner to prevent displacement longitudinally, said supporting element carrying a threaded string engaging member which is actuated by a thumb nut in such a manner as to exert a lifting force on that section or the E string between the E string peg and nut of the violin. y

' In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. GEORGE A. STAPLES. 

